Tony Abbott's popularity drops a day after approval rating

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott's popularity has taken another dive in the latest Newspoll.

It comes a day after the weekly Essential report showed a similar dip in Mr Abbott's approval rating.

The number of people satisfied with Mr Abbott's performance dropped three points to 27% in the Newspoll, while the number dissatisfied rose five points to 63%.

His net satisfaction rating of -36 is the lowest since he took the Liberal leadership from Malcolm Turnbull late in 2009.Mr Abbott's -25 net approval rating in the Essential poll published on Monday was also the lowest it has been since he became leader.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's satisfaction rating remained steady at -15 in the Newspoll, while she increased her lead over Mr Abbott on the question of who would make the better prime minister (46-32%).

Overall, the Newspoll confirmed Labor was again competitive, albeit with a slight drop in two-party-preferred support since the last poll two weeks ago.

The Coalition leads Labor 51-49%, with its primary vote increasing two points to 43%.

Labor's primary vote was unchanged at 36%.

Of the past four Newspolls Labor's 2PP vote has been at 50% twice, 49% and 46%.

This week's Essential poll showed the 2PP race had tightened to 52-48%.